AMA Code of Ethics 2025
The AMA’s Code of Ethics articulates and promotes a body of ethical principles to guide doctors in their relationships with patients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals and society. It reflects the standards of ethical behaviour expected by the profession and society.
The Code of Ethics reflects the core values of the medical profession in Australia. It provides guidance to individual doctors for decisions they may make in relation both to professional relationships and community responsibilities. It also informs the community about the standards of conduct the medical profession sets for itself and how it understands its broader social responsibilities.
While the Code of Ethics serves to support and guide doctors in their ethical behaviour, it can never account for the complexity and nuance of every situation or replace doctors’ professional insight and judgement.
It should therefore not be regarded as a prescriptive set of rules to be applied without context, but rather as a resource to inform and deepen reflection and decision-making about ethical issues.
Support and training should be available to assist doctors who require guidance with clinical ethics decision-making.